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Ruth Paul Scholastic ISBN 9781775434894 RRP (NZ) $27.99 Age 2 – 6 Years Date of publication April 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart Out in time for Mother’s Day this picture book is more than about motherly love. There is information about meerkats, rhyming text, words which will lead to discussion about position and place and lovely illustrations too.

P Crumble Lucinda Gifford Scholastic ISBN 9781743811412 RRP $16.99 Age 4+ Date of publication May 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart This book sees the welcome return of the wily Kevin who has made up his mind this time that he does not want a cuddle. The skills of Lucinda Gifford always enhance our impression of Kevin on every page. He is certainly a cat with personality.

Leonard Cronin Marion Westmacott Allen & Unwin ISBN 978176029414 RRP $29.99 Age 6+ Reviewer Megan Stuart There are many layers to this book in both the presentation and information supplied. The book shows the regions on a map where species of particular animals are found in Australia and then a detailed picture of each habitat. It’s really beautifully done. The book also reminds us of how many dangerous animals live in Australia and in my experience there are a lot of […]

ANH DO Scholastic ISBN 9781760279004 RRP $12.99 Age 5+ Date of publication November 2016 Reviewer Megan Stuart We were all wondering who we would meet after Weir Do left the stage …. who would have guessed that a hot dog and his friends would appear? This book will appeal to an even younger audience because it is funny, well illustrated and introduces some very appealing characters. There is a shortage of suitable books for this age and I think […]

Caron Levis Charles Santoso Scholastic ISBN. 9781742761909 RRP $24.99 Age 5+ Date of publication September 2016 Reviewer Megan Stuart This is a “tearjerker” based on the lives real polar bears (Gus and Ida) who lived in Central Park Zoo in New York. It explores friendship, loss and memories. A lovely story beautifully illustrated by Charles Santoso.

Anh Do Laura Wood Recording Simon Mellor Scholastic Press ISBN 9781760276324 RRP $19.99 Age 4+ Date of publication; October 2016 Reviewer Megan Stuart Anh Do has moved into the world of picture books with ease. This is well written and funny of course and it is also well supported by Laura Wood’s illustrations. There is a lot here to read and enjoy … including the recording by Simon Mellor. And what do they do with all the poo in the […]

Fleur McDonald Annie White Scholastic Australia ISBN 9781925059663 RRP $24.99 Age 3 – 6 years Date of publication August 2016 Reviewer Megan Stuart After reading noisy nights you will consider that life in the city is a far quieter option than the country. Poor old farmer Hayden struggles to get the animals settled and sleeping at night so he can get some peace. The answer to his problem is obvious of course. This is another lovely book from Fleur McDonald.

Laine Mitchell Alison Edgson Scholastic Australia ISBN 9781760276638 RRP $16.99 Age 3+ Date of publication August 2016 Reviewer Megan Stuart This is a dear little book which acknowledges the important role Grandfathers can play in children’s lives. They are all different in their approach as the book illustrates. My own father had a big impact on my children. He was the meerkat grandfather.

Aaron Blabey Scholastic Press ISBN 9781760159849 RRP $16.99 Age 3+ Date of publication August 2016 Reviewer Megan Stuart How much can a koala bear? Well not much more according to Warren in Aaron Blabey’s latest book “Don’t call me bear!”.This is a great book with a very annoyed koala making a point about his name. Thank goodness someone is “clearing the air” on behalf of koalas.

Blaze Kwaymullina Jess Racklyeft Omnibus books ISBN 9781742991283 RRP $19.99 Age 3+ Date of publication July 2016 Reviewer Megan Stuart This book introduces some lovely Australian animals who help each other. There is also the opportunity to think about alliteration with kooky koalas, tricky turtles and marvellous magpies and the reader counts from 1 – 10 too. There is plenty to discuss as well as admire the illustrations.

P Crumble Lucinda Gifford Scholastic Australia ISBN 9781760155780 RRP $16.99 Age 3+ Date of publication July 2016 Reviewer Megan Stuart Cat owners know how clever cats can be but this one can even use it’s body to spell the word “custard”. However at the end of the story we are reminded that when we finally get what we want it turns out that actually it’s not quite what we thought it would be. Nevertheless a very likeable and determined cat.

Sally Morgan Jess Racklyeft Omnibus Books ISBN 9781742991047 RRP $24.99 Age 4+ Date of publication April 2016 Reviewer Megan Stuart This is a very successful union of writer and illustrator. The story is interesting and thoughtful and the illustrations support it beautifully. In reality possums can be a nuisance especially if they are in the roof at night but we forgive this one for any noise.

Gordon Winch Stephen Pym New Frontier Publishing ISBN 9781925059595 RRP $24.99 Age 4-8 years Date of publication May 2016 Reviewer Megan Stuart There is factual information woven into this beautiful book about mountain pygmy possums. However to me the most wonderful part is the truth shown in the illustrations. I know that region and Stephen Pym has created it’s magic perfectly.

Kate Welshman Heath McKenzie Scholastic ISBN 9781743624326 RRP $9.99 Date of Publication April 2016 Age 6+ Reviewer Megan Stuart This is a very good example of some of the great books available for young independent readers which are in chapter form. The Pony Show is well illustrated and supports important behavior such as trying new things and being a good sport. This is the third book in the Pine Valley Ponies series.

Lisa Shanahan Leila Rudge Scholastic ISBN 9781743629321 RRP $24.99 Date of publication April 2016 Age 4+ Reviewer Megan Stuart This book is “a winner” on many levels. It is an imaginative book (Lisa Shanahan CBCA award-winning author) with fabulous illustrations (Leila Rudge CBCA shortlisted illustrator) which makes a winning combination. There are hidden dogs to find on each page, great dog names which will make you LOL and we are reminded through the story about community, companionship and diversty. There is […]

Sally Morgan Ambelin Kwaymullina Omnibus Books ISBN 9781742991368 RRP $24.99 Age 3+ Date of publication April 2016 Reviewer Megan Stuart It takes someone special like Sally Morgan to give Mother’s Day a special twist and this beautifully illustrated book (Ambelin Kwaymullina) does just that. We see the magic of motherhood through the eyes of a kookaburra. The loving and nurturing although shown in the lives of a bird can easily be transferred. Lovely.

Phil Cummings Laura Wood Scholastic ISBN 9781760152994 RRP $16.99 Age 3+ Date of publication February 2016 Reviewer Megan Stuart Phil Cummings often gives us something important to consider in his books (Newspaper Hats and Anzac Biscuits) but this book is good fun and the illustrations are fabulous. Of course an echidna would be a disaster at the beach but nobody even seems to care.

Tricia Oktober Ford Street Publishing ISBN 9781925272130 RRP $22.95 HC and $14.95 PB Age 5+ Date of publication March 1 2016 Reviewer Megan Stuart This book is happy and the bilby really knows how to dance! He just throws himself into it with a look of great joy on his face. He even manages to make friends with a bunyip who proves the love of dance is universal. Lovely.

Kate Welshman Heath McKenzie Scholastic Press ISBN 9781743624319 RRP $9.99 Age 6+ Date of publication October 2015 Reviewer Megan Stuart Books about horses have an immediate and devoted audience in any school library and this book (the second in the series) is a welcome addition to our collection. These books are for newly independent readers and include themes such as friendship and courage.

Rachel Renee Russell Simon & Schuster Australia ISBN 9781471144608 RRP $16.99 Age 7 – 11 Date of publication October 2015 Reviewer Megan Stuart Just in time for Christmas reading comes Dork Diaries (number 10) and a whole new adventure. This time it involves 7 puppies without a home … until of course Nikki adopts them.

Carol Ann Martin Ben Wood Omnibus Books ISBN 9781742990880 RRP $24.99 Age 4+ Date of publication July 2015 Reviewer Megan Stuart This is a story with some great use of language and some animals with great personalities. The hero is Madge the cow who reminds us at the end of the story that “it’s good to be in a safe place” but “sometimes you have to be a safe place”. The pictures do the story justice also.

Nicola Davies Luciano Lozano Walker Books ISBN 9781406342833 RRP $24.95 Age 5+ Date of publication July 2015 Reviewer Neville Sandon Do you think snakes suffer a bad reputation – particularly after the Fall in Genesis? Are all snakes the same? Would you invite a snake to a tea party? A good snake! Blinky Bill is one thing but “Slinky Sam does his thing” is quite another. Not even the movies use snakes for the good. Think of Harry Potter or […]

P Crumble Wendy Binks Scholastic ISBN 9781743626436 RRP $19.99 Age 3+ Date of publication July 2015 Reviewer Megan Stuart This is a sweet little story which has gorgeous illustrations by Wendy Binks. Inside the front cover is a CD on which Deborah Mailman beautifully sings the lullaby. Three great talents in one package. For anyone kept awake at night by possums in their roof it is hard to draw any resemblance to the very cute little creatures on the pages […]

Jess Black Celeste Hulme New Frontier for Scholastic ISBN 9780957988415 RRP $14.99 Age 7+ Date of publication June 2015 Reviewer Megan Stuart From the author of the popular Bindi Wildlife Adventure Series comes this new book which focuses on some similar themes of animal welfare and the environment. However this book has myth and fantasy interwoven in the story. The central character, Eve shows courage and humour during her adventures which start with a large metal chest in her Gran’s attic. […]